'Kinnow attains new record of highest export volume'
A total of 370,000 tons Kinnow exported in 2017-18
(Web Desk) – Despite unfavourable circumstances and various tough challenges, 370000 metric tons Kinnow was exported by Pakistan this year, which is an ever highest export volume of Kinnow during any season of this fruit thus creating a new record!
According to Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) and Vice President –FPCCI, the export of Kinnow commenced from December 2017 and continued till beginning of May 2018.
Compared to export volume of Kinnow last year which stood at 325000 tons, the current season of kinnow this year has witnessed an ever highest export volume of 370000 tons leading to generation of huge foreign exchange of US$ 222 million for the country.
According to Waheed, the PFCCI has played a vital role enabling the PFVA not only to achieve the export target of Kinnow but also attain an ever highest export volume. With consistent support of the FPCCI, the PFVA raised issue of unrealistic high valuation of Pakistani Kinnow in the Russian market before the concerned Pakistani and Russian Authorities in an effective manner with logical argument and consequently the Russian expressed willingness to reduce valuation.
On the other hand through effective utilization of FPCCI platform, the extensive efforts made by PFVA against quota system by the Indonesian government on import of Pakistani Kinnow resulted in withdrawal of quota system by the Indonesian Govt.
The FPCCI also fully supported PFVA’s logical stand for demanding from the Govt. of Pakistan Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) of US$ 250 per export container of Kinnow to Russia enabling Pakistani exporters to compete in this International market which has certainly assisted in enhancement of export of Kinnow.
The FPPCI and PFVA together have also laid down foundation for Research and Development by collaboration with various Agriculture Research based institutions for improvement in quality and development of new varieties of Citrus fruit. The newly established research wing of the FPCCI, having support of Pakistani and International Agriculture Institutions and Universities is aggressively working on comprehensive project for improvement of yield, quality and exploration of new varieties of Citrus fruits.
As a result of joint efforts by Ministry of Commerce (MoC), FPCCI and PFVA the restriction of quota system which was imposed on import of Pakistani Kinnow in the Indonesian market by the government of Indonesia was abolished by the Indonesian government which played a significant role in export enhancement of Kinnow. Indonesia used to issue import permit for import of Pakistani Kinnow by mid of January and due to restriction on volume of quota, it used to be quite difficult in getting big orders materialized – Waheed remarked.
Excellent crop of Kinnow in Pakistan this year with simultaneous low production of the fruit by big producer of Kinnow, namely Morocco, it provided yet an opportunity in enhancement of export to the Russian market – Waheed shared. For the last seven consecutive years , the export of Kinnow to the Iranian market having volume potential of 60 – 80,000 tons remain suspended , however import permits were issued by Iran on eve of “Noroz” festival, but due to limited time period, logistic issues and difficulties in financial transactions , this temporary opportunity could not be availed by Pakistani exporters – Waheed deplored.
According to Waheed Ahmed, the kinnow industry of Pakistan is faced with internal and external challenges .Stiff competition in International market with Turkey and Morocco in terms of their quality and price is becoming almost impossible to sustain and in case if these two countries may have good crops of Kinnow next year, attainment of export volume by Pakistan would be quite difficult.
Changes in climatic conditions and lack of Research and Development facilities in Pakistan is taking it’s toll by casting serious negative impact on production of Kinnow and reduction in it’s shelf life!
The Kinnow trees in Pakistan have already completed their life cycle and hence lost endurance to resist against diseases and thus kinnow orchards having such trees are already suffering from various diseases. Since new orchards of this fruit are not being planted, it’s feared that Kinnow industry and it’s export would sustain huge losses in near future- Waheed disclosed with deep concern.
Since Punjab is hub of Kinnow production, it’s imperative that the Govt. of Punjab must pay serious attention to initiate R&D activities so as to improve quality of the fruit. By safeguarding Kinnow against diseases and with exploration of new varieties of Citrus fruits, the Kinnow industry can be enlisted in the giant industries of one billion club through value-addition - Waheed pointed out.
